Survey of Parasites from the Invasive Argentine Black and White Tegu ( Salvator merianae) in Florida

Résumé fourni par la source

The Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) is a large lizard native to South America that has been introduced to Florida. This invasive lizard has successful breeding populations in at least 4 locations in Florida and the ability to acclimate to the many temperate climates of most southeastern states; thus, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor all biological aspects of tegus, including its parasites. No detailed published records exist on the parasites of invasive tegu populations in Florida. Eighty-nine S. merianae from 2 populations in Florida were necropsied for parasitological exploration. Tegus were infected with 3 species of nematodes non-native to Florida that have been previously reported from South America (Physaloptera tupinambae, Diaphanocephalus galeatus, and Cruzia lauroi) and were also infected with Raillietiella orientalis, an invasive pentastome believed to have been introduced to Florida via invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus). This pentastome is known to infect native snakes and potentially cause harm to their respiratory tracts. It is unknown how these exotic parasites that infect tegus will impact native Florida reptiles; however, the ability of R. orientalis to infect tegus and other lizards could result in rapid spread of this invasive parasite throughout the southeastern United States.

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